Joh 10:25-37 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. Teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

What is written in the Law? he replied. How do you read it?

He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

You have answered correctly, Jesus replied. Do this and you will live.

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

In reply Jesus said: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?
The expert in the law replied, The one who had mercy on him.

Jesus told him, Go and do likewise.

Let's go back to the beginning of the discourse. It all started when an expert in the Law asked Jesus to state the path to eternal life. But rather that answer directly, Jesus asked the man what was his understanding!

On hearing the answer of "Love God and Love your neighbour", Jesus agreed with him.

But now the man wanted to have confirmation that he was doing this and so asked the well known question, "Who is my neighbour?"

Now we know, that no-one is "good". Jesus said that there was only one who was good, namely God. No-one has kept the Law, thus the statement "Love God and love your neighbour" should make us see our shortcomings, not seek to justify our conduct! So Jesus proceeded to show the man how God looks at our lives.

In the story Jesus illustrates the working out of the Gospel through the Samaritan's actions.These show us what Jesus came to do for us and what we as His followers should do for others, led by Holy Spirit.

1. The man on the side of the road represents each of us in our journey through the world before we knew Jesus Christ. We were waylaid and beaten down, robbed and left to die by Sin and Satan.

The wages of sin is death; and the thief (Satan) comes only to steal, kill and destroy.

2. Religion (Law) in the form of the priest could not help us. It could not remove our sin or free us from Satan. The Law gives knowledge of good and evil (Rom 7:7), but when you fail can only condemn; it cannot save.

3. Bible minded people (The Prophets) in the form of the Levite could be well meaning but they also could not rescue us from the trouble in which we found ourselves as a result of sin and falling victim to the wiles of the devil. The prophets can come alongside us and advise and prick our hearts but cannot save us.

4. The Samaritan though (someone we did not expect) came to us and bandaged our wounds. He came to heal our sicknesses.

5. He washed us clean with oil and wine. He removed our sins through the blood and annointed us with the Spirit and mercy and love.

6. He took us away from danger so that we would not fall into similar trouble and put us in a place of protection. The church

7. The Samaritan then gave the innkeeper (Holy Spirit) money (authority and power) with which to care for us and any other expenses would be covered by him personally. Salvation, in other words, was paid for - in full!

We have been rescued from this evil world and placed in the kingdom of God.

Col 1:13-14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

We have eternal redemption through Jesus the Christ, not a temporary forgiveness that only lasts until our next mistake!

Heb 9:11-12 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

It's this Jesus that we must put faith in unto salvation.

This salvation encompasses the Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, Physical and Financial areas of our lives. Satan has been defeated. Jesus controls and has authority over all areas of life and has delebated that authority to his followers. What you believe is what you can receive.

Luk 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

Jesus has also given us His grace to empower us to live upright lives in this age.

Tit 2:11-13 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Let's start believing Jesus. Let's be believers who actually believe! Let's believe the gospel, put our faith in Jesus and follow him.

Attlee.

Paul's Thorn In The Flesh. Click Here.
Grace and Law in Ancient Israel. Click Here.
What do you mean - Grace? Click Here.
The Heart Of God Click Here.

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